Membership

There are two categories of ABC members, and one observer category:

Nonprofit Members:

Brain-related patient advocacy organizations representing patients and families, joined with professional scientific and clinical organizations representing researchers and clinicians, constitute the non-profit member category.

Non-profit Members Fee Structure

Members will be encouraged to pay the below fee structure for 2011 dues.  This fee structure is based off approximately 0.1% of an organization’s total revenue.  Continuing members for whom this would pose a hardship may request that their current dues be maintained for 2011 before transitioning to the new level in 2012.  If an organization feels they are being incorrectly billed, or if for some reason they believe that total revenue is not an accurate measure of their organization’s resources, they should provide a written statement to the ABC Membership Committee, explaining what annual contribution best reflects their organization’s true budget.

• Organizations with $10 million or more in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $15,000.
• Organizations with $7.5-10 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $10,000.
• Organizations with $5-7.5 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $7,500.
• Organizations with $3.5-5 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $5,000.
• Organizations with $2-3.5 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $3,500.
• Organizations with $1-2 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $2,000.
• Organizations with $500-1 million in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $1,000.
• Organizations with less than $500,000 in total revenue will be asked to provide an annual contribution of $500.

Corporate/For-profit Members:

Corporations that support the ABC’s mission, as well as maintaining a working relationship with ABC non-profit members, constitute the corporate/for-profit membership category.

Corporate/For-profit Members Fee Structure

• Members will pay an annual contribution of $15,000.
• Members will participate in a Corporate Advisory Committee (CAC).  Each CAC member may recommend one member to the Nominating Committee for consideration as nominees to serve on the Board of Directors.
• One CAC representative shall be invited to sit on the ABC Board of Directors, but will not receive a Board vote.
• Members will receive advocacy updates.
• Members will have the opportunity to participate with non-profit members in quarterly conference calls on hot topics such as health care reform or comparative effectiveness research.
• Corporate/For-profit members must adhere to the PHARMA and/or AVAMED Code of Conduct.

Observers:

Government agencies or other interested organizations that may be invited or request permission to participate in meetings, but do not have voting rights and are not required to make a financial contribution.

Membership Benefits

The ABC will leverage the resources of its members to provide regular representation in Washington, DC as it advocates on behalf of patients living with neurological and psychiatric disorders.

ABC members are eligible to attend ABC membership meetings and vote on organizational leadership. Members compose the Board of Directors, which will be primarily made up of Organizing Members.

ABC members will have networking opportunities among its diverse membership of patients, families, researchers, and clinicians.